Trash receptacle

ABSTRACT

A trash receptacle placeable at the front face of a bar or similar counter having a foot rail. Such foot rails are ordinarily attached to the front face of the bar by means of horizontal support struts projecting from the front face of the bar and connected to the foot rail. The trash receptacle comprises a chamber having a downwardly closed base portion adapted to override the foot rail and an upwardly open body portion extending upwardly from the base portion. The base portion includes a forward section depending from the body portion and adapted to abut the floor on the front side of the foot rail opposite the front face of the bar. The base portion also includes a central downwardly concave section adapted to overlie the foot rail and a rear section having two mutually spaced pairs of narrow depending segments adapted to abut the floor between the front face of the bar and the foot rail. Each pair of depending segments defines a space therebetween so that a support strut can be received in the space defined by one or the other of the pairs of depending segments. The chamber can be placed over the foot rail and one of the support struts engaged by the pairs of depending segments to prevent transverse motion of the chamber. Other support struts pass beneath the rear portion to allow the chamber to be placed over such support struts so that the chamber can be placed in a preselected location.

Primary Examiner-William l. Price Assistant Examiner.loseph M. Moy Attorney, Agent, or FirmTownsend and Townsend [57] ABSTRACT A trash receptacle placeable at the front face of a bar 20 m m. g 26 'l ,1. 25 I I Q United States Patent 1 91 1111 3,883,028 Kittelson May 13, 1975 [5 TRASH RECEPTACLE or similar counter having a foot rail. Such foot rails [76] lnventor: John A. Kittelson, 1970 Filbert, San are ordmanly. attached to the from fag? f the bar by Francisco Calif 94123 means of horizontal support struts pro ecting from the front face of the bar and connected to the foot rail, [2 Filedi 1974 The trash receptacle comprises a chamber having a downwardly closed base portion adapted to override [21] Appl' 444632 the foot rail and an upwardly open body portion extending upwardly from the base portion. The base por- Cl 220/1 tion includes a forward section depending from the 248/359 body portion and adapted to abut the floor on the [51] Int. Cl B6511 25/24 from side of the foot rail opposite the front face of the [58] Field of Sea c 220/1 bar. The base portion also includes a central down- 2 8/ 3 wardly concave section adapted to overlie the foot rail and a rear section having two mutually spaced pairs of [56] References Cited narrow depending segments adapted to abut the floor UNITED STATES PATENTS between the front face of the bar and the foot rail. 2 458 246 1/1949 Brereton 220/69 Each Pair of depending Segments defines space therebetween so that a support strut can be received 2,486,932 ll/l949 Elliott 220/18 2,495,505 1/1950 Bella 220/18 in the Space defined y one Or the other of the Pairs of depending segments. The chamber can be placed over FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPUCATIONS the foot rail and one of the support struts engaged by 1,294,785 1962 France 220/70 the pairs of depending segments to prevent transverse motion of the chamber. Other support struts pass beneath the rear portion to allow the chamber to be placed over such support struts so that the chamber can be placed in a preselected location.

8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEU HAY I 31975 3,883,028

FIG .1

TRASH RECEPTACLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a trash receptacle, and in particular to a trash receptacle placeable at the front face of a bar or like counter having a foot rail.

Most bars are provided with foot rails so that a person sitting at the bar has a place to rest his feet. The location of the bar rails with respect to the floor and the bar itself is generally fairly constant, but the locations of the support struts which maintain the foot rail in position vary depending upon the installation. These foot rails generally span the entire length of the bar including waitress stations and the like. When a standard trash receptacle is placed at the front face of a bar, the bar rail requires that the receptacle be located in front of the rail and the receptacle is thus a substantial distance from the bar. The rail is ordinarily not sufficiently spaced from the bar so that the receptacle can be placed inside the rail. As a result, such receptacles are often overturned and are quite unsuitable for this type of use.

No trash receptacle is currently available which fits over a foot rail so that it can be easily placed at the front face of a bar or similar counter. The apparent reason for this deficiency is the difficulty in providing a receptacle which can span the support struts of the foot rail since the spacing of the support struts varies for different rails and there is no set pattern. The trash receptacle cannot merely overlie the foot rail but must make provision for the support struts. No available trash re ceptacle can adapt to different bars where the support struts have different spacings, and as a result, standard trash receptacles are normally used for this purpose even though they are unsuitable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a trash receptacle which is placeable flush with the front face of a bar or similar counter having a foot rail. The trash receptacle comprises a chamber having a downwardly closed base portion adapted to override the foot rail and an upwardly open body portion extending upwardly from the base portion. The base portion includes a forward section depending from the body portion and adapted to abut the floor on the side of the foot rail opposite from the front face of the bar. The base portion additionally includes a central downwardly concave section adapted to overlie the foot rail and a rear section having two mutually spaced pairs of narrow depending segments adapted to abut the floor between the front face of the counter and the foot rail.

Each pair of depending segments defines a space therebetween so that a support strut can be received in the space defined by one or the other of the pairs. The chamber can thus be placed over the foot rail and one of the support struts engaged by one of the pairs of depending segments. This prevents transverse movement of the chamber so that it remains in its preselected location and does not move along the length of the bar. As a result, the chamber will not move along the bar from the waitress station to the customer area.

Other support struts not engaged by one of the pairs of depending segments can pass beneath the rear portion of the chamber. Hence, the chamber can be placed in a preselected location at a waitress station or the like without concern for the location of particular support struts. Also, when support struts are placed close together so that two or more struts fall within the width of the chamber, placement of the chamber is not impeded since the extra support struts merely pass beneath the chamber.

With the trash receptacle of the present invention, both the forward and rear portions of the base thereof rest on the floor so that the chamber is solidly supported. Furthermore, the preferred embodiment of the receptacle is rectangular and has a rear face adapted to be flush with the bar. The central downwardly concave section of the base is asymmetric so that when the chamber is placed in position, it is maintained flush with the front face of the bar, minimizing the possibility that the receptacle can be overturned.

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to--organization and method of operation together with further further objects and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the trash receptacle of the present invention in place at the front of a bar;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the trash receptacle shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the trash receptacle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the manner in which the trash receptacle of the present invention fits over the bar rail and its support struts.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Placement of the trash receptacle 10 of the present invention at the waitress station, 12 of a bar 14 is illustrated by way of reference to FIG. 1. Waitress station 12 is defined by means of rails 16, 18 which separate the waitress station from adjacent customer areas. Receptacle l0 fits beneath the overhanging portion 20 of bar 14. Overhang 20 is generally approximately l2 inches wide and the preferred width of receptacle 10 is approximately 1 1 inches so that the receptacle fits beneath the overhang. In order that trash may be placed conveniently in receptacle 10, the height of the receptacle is preferably substantially less than that of the bar. Since the overhanging portion 20 of bars such as 14 are generally approximately 40 inches above the floor, the preferred height of the trash receptacle 10 is approximately 30 inches allowing 10 inches clearance for the placing of trash in the receptacle.

A foot rail 22 is located along the front face 24 of bar 14. Foot rail 22 is maintained in position by means of a plurality of horizontal struts 26 projecting from front face 24 of bar 14 to the foot rail. The position of foot rail 22 is relatively constant for all bars such as 14 and is usually approximately 7% inches from front face 24 and 7% inches off the floor. However, the relative spac' ing of support struts 26 is not uniform among different bar locations and the struts are generally spaced in any convenient manner depending on the length of the bar, its shape, and other factors, In order to further support foot rail 22, a plurality of vertical support struts may also be provided.

The construction of the trash receptacle of the present invention which allows for its placement over the foot rail 22 and support struts 26 of a bar or like counter is illustrated by viewing FIGS. 2-4 in combination. Trash receptacle 10 has a generally rectangular upper body portion 30 which is open at the top. Trash receptacle 10 also includes a base portion 32 depending from body portion 30 and which is closed at the bottom. Base portion 32 is continuous to body portion 30 so that the two portions define a continuous outer surface. Base portion 32 includes a forward section 34 which depends from body portion 30 and is adapted to rest on the floor. Base portion 32 also has a downwardly concave central section 36 adapted to override foot rail 22. The rear section of base portion 32 comprises two pairs of narrow depending segments 38, 40. The pairs of depending segments 38, 40 are placed at opposite sides of trash receptacle 10 and each pair defines a spacing 42, 44 therebetween adapted to accommodate a support strut 26.

Since the spacing of support struts 26 is not uniform, the present invention allows for the capture of one of the support struts 26 in one or the other of the spaces 42, 44. It is not required, however, that a support strut fit in each of the spaces 42, 44. Capturing one of the support struts 26 in one of the spaces 42, 44 prevents lateral movement of the trash receptacle 10 so that it does not move out of its desired position. Other support struts 26 which may fall within the width of trash receptacle 10 will merely pass beneath the trash receptacle and will not interfere with its placement in any desired location. The width of depending segments 38, 40 is generally quite small so that the likelihood of struts 26 being spaced so that one pair of segments will be blocked by a support strut when another support strut is received in the space defined by the other pair is remote. Hence, the trash receptacle 10 of the present invention can be placed where desired and fixed laterally in position even though the spacing of support struts 26 varies for different bars and counters.

Center section 36 of base portion 32 of trash receptacle 10 is preferably asymmetric as illustrated, the forward wall 46 thereof being nearly vertical and the aft wall 48 being forwardly inclined with respect to the floor. This allows easy placement of trash receptacle 10 beneath the overhang of the bar, and inclined side wall 48 will bias trash receptacle 10 against front face 24 of the bar. The back face 50 of trash receptacle 10 is thus flush with front face 24 of the bar to minimize the likelihood that the trash receptacle will be accidentally overturned. Also, since both the forward and rear sections of base portion 32 of the trash receptacle 10 rest upon the floor, the receptacle is quite stable and not subject to being tipped over.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, body portion 30 and base portion 32 of trash receptacle 10 are constructed from a continuous sheet of plastic material and therefore define a single interior volume open at the top. However, it would be an obvious expedient to place a false floor between the body portion 30 and base portion 32 so that material does not get lodged in narrow confines of the base portion.

However, it is preferred that a single interior volume be defined to lower the center of gravity of receptacle 10 when it is filled with trash.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated in detail, it is apparent that modifications and adaptations of that embodiment will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims.

What is claim as new is:

1. A trash receptacle placeable at the front face of a bar or similar counter having a foot rail, said foot rail being mounted to the front face of the bar by means of support struts projecting from the bar and connected to the foot rail, said receptacle comprising a chamber having a downwardly closed base portion adapted to override the foot rail and an upwardly open body portion extending upwardly from said base portion, said base portion including a forward section depending from the body portion and adapted to abut the floor on the front side of the foot rail opposite from the front face of the bar, a central downwardly concave section adapted to overlie the foot rail and a rear section comprising at least one pair of narrow depending segments at least one of which is adapted to abut the floor between the front face of the counter and the foot rail, said pair of depending segments defining a space therebetween adapted to receive one of .the support struts therein so that said chamber can be placed over the foot rail with both the forward section and the aft section of the base portion in abutment with the floor to provide a solid support for said chamber, one of the support struts being engaged between the depending segments of the rear section of the base portion of the chamber so that transverse movement of the chamber is prevented.

2. A trash receptacle as recited in claim 1 wherein the rear section of the base portion of the chamber comprises two pairs of narrow depending segments, at least one segment of each pair adapted to abut the floor between the front face of the counter and the foot rail, each said pair of depending segments defining a space therebetween so that a support strut can be'received in the space defined by one or the other of the pairs of depending segments whereby the chamber can be placed over the foot rail and one of the support struts engaged by one of the pairs of depending segments of the rear section of the base portion so that transverse movement of the chamber is prevented.

3. A trash receptacle as recited in claim 2 wherein the depending portions of the rear section solely comprise the two pair of narrow depending segments so that other support struts not engaged between either of the pairs of depending segments pass beneath said rear portion to allow the chamber to be placed over such support struts and engage one of the support struts to prevent transverse movement of the chamber.

4. A trash receptacle as recited in claim 1 wherein the downwardly closed base portion and the upwardly open body portion of the chamber comprise a unitary piece of plastic. material, said base portion and said body portion defining a single interior volume open at the top.

5. A trash receptacle as recited in claim 1 wherein the upwardly open body portion of the chamber has a flat surface adapted to abut the front face of the bar.

6. A trash receptacle as recited in claim 1 wherein the body portion of the chamber is substantially rectangular, one of the flat surfaces of said rectangular body portion adapted to abut the front face of the bar.

7. A trash receptacle as recited in claim 1 wherein the central downwardly concave section of the base portion of the chamber is asymmetric, having an upwardly and forwardly inclined rearward surface adapted to facilitate emplacement of the chamber over the foot rail.

8. A trash receptacle placeable at a preselected location at the front face of a bar or similar counter having a foot rail, said foot rail being mounted to the front face of the bar by means of support struts projecting from the bar and connected to the front rail, said receptacle comprising a chamber having a downwardly closed base portion adapted to override the foot rail and an upwardly open body portion extending upwardly from said base portion, said base portion and said body portion comprising a single piece of material defining a single interior volume, said base portion including a for ward section depending from the body portion and adapted to abut the floor on the front side of the foot rail opposite from the front face of the bar, a central downwardly concave section adapted to override the foot rail, and a rear section comprising a plurality of mutually spaced pairs of narrow depending segments, at least one segment of each pair adapted to abut the floor between the front face of the counter and the foot rail, each said pair of depending segments defining a space therebetween so that a support strut can be received in the space defined by one or the other of the pairs of depending segments so that the chamber can be placed over the foot rail and one of the support struts engaged by the pairs of depending segments of the rear section of the base portion of prevent transverse motion of the chamber, other support struts adapted to pass beneath said rear portion to allow the chamber to be placed over such support struts and allow placement of said chamber in a preselected location. 

1. A trash receptacle placeable at the front face of a bar or similar counter having a foot rail, said foot rail being mounted to the front face of the bar by means of support struts projecting from the bar and connected to the foot rail, said receptacle comprising a chamber having a downwardly closed base portion adapted to override the foot rail and an upwardly open body portion extending upwardly from said base portion, said base portion including a forward section depending from the body portion and adapted to abut the floor on the front side of the foot rail opposite from the front face of the bar, a central downwardly concave section adapted to overlie the foot rail and a rear section comprising at least one pair of narrow depending segments at least one of which is adapted to abut the floor between the front face of the counter and the foot rail, said pair of depending segments defining a space therebetween adapted to receive one of the support struts therein so that said chamber can be placed over the foot rail with both the forward section and the aft section of the base portion in abutment with the floor to provide a solid support for said chamber, one of the support struts being engaged between the depending segments of the rear section of the base portion of the chamber so that transverse movement of the chamber is prevented.
 2. A trash receptacle as recited in claim 1 wherein the rear section of the base portion of the chamber comprises two pairs of narrow depending segments, at least one segment of each pair adapted to abut the floor between the front face of the counter and the foot rail, each said pair of depending segments defining a space therebetween so that a support strut can be received in the space defined by one or the other of the pairs of depending segments whereby the chamber can be placed over the foot rail and one of the support struts engaged by one of the pairs of depending segments of the rear section of the base portion so that transverse movement of the chamber is prevented.
 3. A trash receptacle as recited in claim 2 wherein the depending portions of the rear section solely comprise the two pair of narrow depending segments so that other support struts not engaged between either of the pairs of depending segments pass beneath said rear portion to allow the chamber to be placed over such support struts and engage one of the support struts to prevent transverse movement of the chamber.
 4. A trash receptacle as recited in claim 1 wherein the downwardly closed base portion and the upwardly open body portion of the chamber comprise a unitary piece of plastic material, said base portion and said body portion defining a single interior volume open at the top.
 5. A trash receptacle as recited in claim 1 wherein the upwardly open body portion of the chamber has a flat surface adapted to abut the front face of the bar.
 6. A trash receptacle as recited in claim 1 wherein the body portion of the chamber is substantially rectangular, one of the flat surfaces of said rectangular body portion adapted to abut the front face of the bar.
 7. A trash receptacle as recited in claim 1 wherein the central downwardly concave section of the base portion of the chamber is asymmetric, having an upwardly and forwardly inclined rearward surface adapted to facilitate emplacement of the chamber over the foot rail.
 8. A trash receptacle placeable at a preselected location at the front face of a bar or similar counter having a foot rail, said foot rail being mounted to the front face of the bar by means of support struts projecting from the bar and connected to the front rail, said receptacle comprising a chamber having a downwardly closed base portion adapted to override the foot rail and an upwardly open body portion extending upwardly from said base portion, said base portion and said body portion comprising a single piece of material defining a single interior volume, said base portion including a forward section depending from the body portion and adapted to abut the floor on the front side of the foot rail opposite from the front face of the bar, a central downwardly concave section adapted to override the foot rail, and a rear section comprising a plurality of mutually spaced pairs of narrow depending segments, at least one segment of each pair adapted to abut the floor between the front face of the counter and the foot rail, each said pair of depending segments defining a space therebetween so that a support strut can be received in the space defined by one or the other of the pairs of depending segments so that the chamber can be placed over the foot rail and one of the support struts engaged by the pairs of depending segments of the rear section of the base portion of prevent transverse motion of the chamber, other support struts adapted to pass beneath said rear portion to allow the chamber to be placed over such support struts and allow placement of said chamber in a preselected location. 